While I'm working on my 69 R Code Torino Cobra and actually am seeing a dim light at the end of the tunnel (though it's going to take more money thrown at it) I find a 57 Fairlane Club Sedan.

It's completely missing the rear end (and engine though it does have the 3sp overdrive tranny down in there). I couldn't pass it up as it's completely straight, no bondo of any kind, very, very little rust (a genuine New Mexico car) has all the chrome trim and all the glass.

The first thing I have to do is to get it on 4 wheels so it can at least be pushed around, preferably with a rear end that will say under it. After digging on the net I find that 57 was the first year for the 9" and it's one of a few (years and cars along with the 58-59, early Mustangs, some but not all Torino/Fairlanes up to the early 70's, etc) that are the shortest rears made.

My neighbor has this housing laying there under the 64 V8 Sprint it came out of. The axils and the pumpkin are in the car. I think it will work as it's 52 1/4" from outer bearing to outer bearing AND spring perches are 43" center to center. No matter what rear I'd get I'd plan to go through it anyway replacing seals, outer bearings and building all new brakes (either the original drums or disc it).

I don't think this thing is a 9"because of the steps on the axle housing and relatively small (1/2" nuts) pumpkin bolts,,, maybe an 8"?

What I'm going to exactly do for a drive isn't decided yet but I've pretty much ruled out a 460/C6, even though I'm told it's easy to do, because I want it to be a driver and don't want to pay the big block gas preminum. Pretty much decided to do a 302/T5 as a mild 302 should push it right along and the T5 should overdrive it down the freeway rather well too.

Do any of you guys recognize this rear end housing and/or have any comments about putting something like this under a 57 Fairlane resto?

It is kind of hard to tell from the pictures. Why don't you round up a gasket for a 9" and check to see if it fits. I think those falcons came with 8" rear ends, but after 41 years it could be anything in there. I don't think I want an 8' under a full size car like that 57. Just my opinion.

Generally speaking 8 and small bearing 9 have the same axles, though 67 and later are slightly fatter. Stock eights will hold about 275 hp at the tires if you are NOT running slicks. A light nine will do about 350.

The 57-9 rear end is 57 1/2 wide wheel flange to wheel flange, as is all the unibody Fairlanes and 65-8 Mustangs, 66-69 Falcons, all 70s Granadas. Some Mavericks. Spring width is all the same except 62-65 Fairlane.

69-70 Mustangs usually have 59 1/2 wf-wf.... and some 69-70s had 60 1/2 wf-wf.

click on the knowledge base link at the top of this page.

A 5.0 HO fuelie T-5 A/C will get 23 mpg on the highway in the 57 on 87
octane. An 3.25 gear eight inch is fine.
If ya want to get rid of that car.... PM me....

The easy, old school junk yard way is to chech the bottom two studs. IF you can use a socket to remove the nuts....It is a 8 inch. IF it is a 9 inch.....you will have to use a wrench to remove the bottom two nuts ( shown above )

57, 58 and 59 Ford passenger car rears will interchange......and come with two different axle bearings....depending on usage. The standard bearing.....

And the larger bearing for station wagons, sedan deliveries, convertibles and retractables.

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